Expert: Rod Powers - 9/19/2009

Question
Hi, my name is Ian Kowalczyk.  I am 18 Years, old, and leaving for boot camp, in 16 days.  I originally joined the Navy in hopes of getting in SWCC's.  I failed my color blind test at MEP's, from what I was told.  I am getting laser surgery in the near future, (and I know laser surgery does not correct color blindness).  At MEP's, I passed about 8 or 9 out of 14 color circles with the numbers.  They then administered a second test where I had to recognize colors from an L.E.D. Light 15 feet away which I failed because of my vision with contacts not being 20/20.  Down the road, I am wanting to get in to SWCC's or Augment to an Army combat unit very soon once in the Navy.  I was curious if my being color blind would prevent me from augmenting to an army combat unit.  I was also curious, if it would be possible to get a waiver for augmenting.  Is it also possible to get a waiver to be able to go SWCC?  Thanks for the help.

Answer
Hi Ian,

I'm not entirely sure what you mean? I've never heard of "aumenting" to an Army combat unit from the Navy.

The Air Force, for example, has some jobs that are designed to work directly with Army Combat Units (for example, Tactical Air Command and Control, see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1c4x1.htm), but I'm not aware of any Navy ratings (jobs) which do so.

Some Navy ratings (for example, HM's or medics) do work directly with Marine Corps combat units.

Usually, when a particular military job requires normal color vision, it's because some aspect of that job requires it. For SWCC, my best guess is that they are often required to distinguish between different color smoke flares when picking up SEALS in hostile fire zones. I very much doubt this requirement would be waived.

For more information about the US Military, feel free to visit my US Military Information website at http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com